Active Shooter Preparedness

Run, Hide, Fight.®

Although active shooter events are unpredictable, motives are different, and warning signs may vary, there are three things citizens can do to increase chances of safety and survival: Run. Hide. Fight. The video encourages citizens to evaluate the situation and:

Run if a safe path is available. Always try and escape or evacuate even if others insist on staying.

Encourage others to leave with you but don’t let the indecision of others slow down your own effort to escape.

Once you are out of the line of fire, try to prevent others from walking into the danger zone and call 9-1-1.

If you can’t get out safely, find a place to hide.

When hiding, turn out lights, remember to lock doors and silence your ringer and vibration mode on your cell phone.

As a last resort, working together or alone, act with aggression, use improvised weapons and fight.

In the midst of the chaos, anyone can play an integral role in mitigating the impacts of an active shooter incident. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) aims to enhance preparedness through a "whole community" approach by providing products, tools, and resources to help you prepare for and respond to an active shooter incident.